The Hex Files

I post my gratitude project mostly on FB, but this one deserves a bit more than a short bit.

Yesterday, I was grateful to be associated with a group of responsible pit bull owners. Will and I attended a meet up for Bully Lovers in Birmingham. There were 16 Pit Bulls at Railroad Park plus all their owners and children, including a 3 month old puppy that was OMG so cute!! With it's squishy face and squeeee!! She was adorable!!

We were watched like a hawk by the park officials -- we were all gathered under the main pavilion where we shared food and drink, pibble dribble and talked. Next to us was a group of teenage girls -- a church group or community group (they were wearing the same t-shirts), and many were cooing over the dogs. Joker was his usual affable self -- friendly and more than happy to let anyone pet him. As usual, I had to warn people that he licks like crazy and will jump up to get you in the face. Most people bent down to his level as I tried to keep him from jumping. Richard, one of the board members for Bama Bully Rescue did exactly as I do: make Joker sit and THEN pet him, taking his hand away if Joker jumped and waiting until he sat quietly. Joker did well, occasionally losing his control over himself but mostly behaved well and didn't go too crazy with his Tongue of Doom™. Harley was her usual self as well, friendly but reserved. We had our pictures taken as well.

The part I'm mostly grateful for is being part of this group. Showing people what RESPONSIBLE Pit Bull ownership is like. A big bunch of well-behaved and managed dogs, socializing with other dogs, people and children with no incidents or problems. We left before the rest of the group did, but apparently the group left the area cleaner than when we got there. Apparently, one woman with her kid screamed "DON"T PET THE PIT BULLS!" when her son pet Gunner. When the dog licked him she said "Well I'll be damned! It's a small victory, but a victory nonetheless when communities are still trying to ban these dogs.

Today I am grateful for once again not gaining weight after quitting smoking. I haven't lost any since I quit (11 days so far!) but I'm very happy to be staying pat (for now). I didn't quit because I wanted to -- I quit because I had to in order to heal my ulcer. But, I'm doing well with it, even when the patch falls off. I still have the occasional craving but they're getting fewer and far between and not as intense. The only problem I'm having is a nagging headache. I don't know if it's due to withdrawal, the patch or the weather pattern but this headache just won't stay away. I shall start exercising again, by hook or by crook, DAMN this stupid foot pain. I want to continue to lose weight not be stuck in a plateau. But, at least I haven't gained anything which is what usually happens when you quit smoking. So, yeah I'm grateful.

We leave for Maine tomorrow so I may not post GPs for a while. Today I am grateful for the 17 years I've had the pleasure of my daughters company. There have been good times, bad times, trying times and some incredible times.

She has been my anchor, my lifeline and my purpose in life. I'm going to miss her terribly. I hope she manages to take control of her life and become the incredible young woman I know she can be.

I love you, Liana. You'll always be my Bunk, no matter how far away you are.

Yesterday I was grateful for baking successes. Sometimes, just making something delicious to eat is enough to make your day.

Today I am grateful to a member of my family, for helping to keep our family together. Yes, it's cryptic, but too bad.

I'm grateful that the library has one of my all-time favorite movies - "Papillon".

Yesterday I was grateful that my flare lessened enough for me to go dancing with Will. I do love to dance with ohm.

Today I am grateful that I was able to catch a glimpse of the meteor shower last night. It was glorious.

Today I am grateful for my hair. I have very fine, thin, fragile hair that breaks and splits if you look at it funny. Since I was young, it's been permed, straightened, curled, colored and every other process known to man. I've had various cuts, colors and styles. And it's always been difficult to maintain.

A few months before moving to Birmingham, I shaved myself bald, figuring that a black and purple Mohawk wouldn't go over to well in 'Bama. Since then, I've done nothing to it other than boost my natural color with henna. It hasn't even been trimmed.

And my hair is thicker and healthier than it's ever been before. It's grown in naturally and has it's own natural layering. It actually has body! I won't be touching it until it really needs a trim; in two years I've turned my hair from a limp mess into a rather nice head of hair. If I want a severe change, I'll just wear a wig from now on.

Yeah...so it's a little narcisstic, but I really AM grateful.

Yesterday, I was grateful to good friends who share their recipes with me. Mmmm...pulled pork.

Today, I am grateful to Joker for having so much love inside him that he can't contain it. Even when my face is completely covered, he somehow manages to snake his Tongue of Doom {tm} through a crack and lick me. OK, so sometimes it's a pain...but mostly, it's how he expresses his affection.

Today I am grateful to Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker for overturning Proposition 8 in California...

...I only hope it holds up.

The Gratitude Project was begun several years ago by estaratshirai. The rules are simple. Every day between Lammas and Mabon one must find something to be grateful for in life. No repeats - one can be grateful to people more than once, but it has be for different reasons.

Day 1: I'm grateful to be getting together with kin for a Sabbat. It's been a LONG time.

Day 2: I'm grateful to these same kin for allowing Liana and I to enjoy their company and hospitality. We had a delightful time with "our bois".

Today I am grateful to Will (again) for his patience with me, especially when I don't do what I was supposed to do. He's a good hobbit ;)